VANILLA BEANS

Vanilla is a flavoring derived from orchids of the genus Vanilla native to Mexico. Etymologically, vanilla derives from the Spanish word “vainilla”, little pod. Originally cultivated by Pre-Columbian Mesoamerican peoples, Spanish conquistador Hernán Cortés is credited with introducing both the spice and chocolate to Europe in the 1520s

Origin: Madagascar

Use: Split the bean lengthwise put it in a bottle of vodka and there you have your all natural vanilla extract, scrape out the inside of the pod and add it to milk sugar and yolks to make a delicious Crème Anglaise or Crème Brulée, etc